'New global standard for the sport' – U.S. Soccer officially confirms co-hosts Mexico, Jamaica and Costa Rica for uncontested 2031 Women's World Cup bid

U.S. Soccer confirmed that the 2031 Women's World Cup bid will include Mexico, Jamaica and Costa Rica. The announcement comes after FIFA gave unanimous approval to expand the tournament from 32 to 48 teams. It is a new chapter in women’s football with even more participating nations and more matches

United States to host WWC for third time

Though the award process has not yet been finalized, FIFA has announced that there were no other bidders for the tournament. So when the 2031 World Cup kicks off, it will presumably mark the third time the United States has hosted a Women’s World Cup, following the iconic events in 1999 and 2003.

No other country has hosted the event more than twice. The U.S. will also become the first nation to host both men’s and women’s World Cups within five years, with the 2026 men’s World Cup, co-hosted with Mexico and Canada, already on the horizon. The 2026 tournament will feature 11 U.S. host cities, with the final set to take place at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium, a potential blueprint for 2031. 

U.S. Soccer president Cindy Parlow Cone expressed pride in leading what she described as a “transformative collaboration."

"We're incredibly proud to be leading this bid for the 2031 Women's World Cup alongside our CONCACAF partners in Mexico, Costa Rica, and Jamaica," Cone said in a statement. "Together, we have an extraordinary opportunity to host the biggest and most impactful Women's World Cup in history, one that will inspire a new generation of fans and help grow the women's game across our entire region and around the world.

"We're excited to drive lasting progress for women's soccer by creating a legacy that reaches far beyond 2031 and sets a new global standard for the sport."

AdvertisementJamaica also makes history

Jamaica's inclusion is a historic leap forward in women's sport. It marks the first time that a Caribbean country will host World Cup matches at any level, with Jamaica Football Federation president Michael Ricketts describing the news as “a dream come true.”

"This will have a huge impact on the psyche of every single Jamaican," he said. "It is no ordinary feat for a small country like ours to host World Cup matches. This is absolutely tremendous. We are very hopeful and optimistic that we can put together an experience that is truly memorable for our players and fans. This is huge for Jamaica and for every person who proudly calls themselves Jamaican."

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has made no secret of his ambitions for the women’s game. Following the 2023 Women’s World Cup, which broke even with $570 million (£426m) in revenue, Infantino has set his sights on generating $1 billion (£750m) from the 2031 edition.

The expanded format, coupled with the massive commercial pull of the U.S., makes that goal achievable.

Getty Images SportExpansion to 48 teams

FIFA’s decision to expand the competition to 48 teams is another important step in the expansion of women's sport. The 2031 tournament will adopt a 12-group format, extending the schedule by one week and increasing the total number of matches from 64 to 104.

This will mark the largest Women’s World Cup ever staged. Since its inception in 1991, when just 12 nations competed in China, the Women’s World Cup has expanded steadily to 16 in 1999, 24 in 2015, and 32 in 2023, when Spain lifted the trophy.

Now, the jump to 48 teams represents a milestone. The next edition, in 2027, will be hosted by Brazil, keeping the 32-team format before the full expansion comes into play in 2031.

UK in 2035?

While the Americas prepare to take center stage in 2031, with their joint bid alongside Jamaica and Costa Rica uncontested, the next chapter for women’s football is already being written. The United Kingdom is expected to host the 2035 Women’s World Cup, with England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland submitting the only valid joint bid, as confirmed by Infantino.

There have been suggestions that the UK edition could feature iconic venues such as Wembley, Hampden Park, and Cardiff’s Principality Stadium, alongside potential new builds such as Manchester United’s new stadium and Birmingham City’s proposed 62,000-seater home, provided the construction of the state-of-the-art facilities finish in time.